At Least 8 Palestinians Killed in Israeli Raid, Airstrike in Gaza

Palestinian sources say an Israeli airstrike has killed at least two people and wounded about 10 others in Gaza City - hours after six Palestinians died in a clash with Israeli troops.

The Israeli army confirmed the airstrike late Thursday and said it targeted the house of a senior leader from the armed wing of Hamas. Witnesses say the man survived the attack.

A young girl was among those killed in the airstrike.

Early Thursday, six Palestinians were killed during an Israeli raid in the central Gaza Strip.

Palestinian security officials say Israeli troops backed by helicopter gunships entered the village of Abassan near Khan Yunis, sparking a clash with Palestinian gunmen. They say the dead included at least three Hamas gunmen.

The Israeli military has waged a Gaza offensive since Palestinian militants kidnapped an Israeli soldier in late June.

Israeli spokeswoman Miri Eisen has publicly rejected Hamas demands to exchange the captive soldier for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. At the same time, Israeli officials acknowledge that Egypt is mediating a possible prisoner swap.